Troop 651's

Thank You to Our Drivers!

Backpack Program Starts Soon

Court of Honor

Thursday October 24, two Scouts advanced in rank: Second Class Nick I. and Tenderfoot William. Congratulations!

Our New Eagle

Congratulations to Louis on his Eagle Court of Honor on October 27. This was a very moving ceremony. Thank you, Louis, for your help as our Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.

Rancho Las Flores

We're being invaded! Either that, or those mosquitos are really big and loud! That was our thought at 3 in the morning when the Marines began their invasion during their war games. Their helicopters were barely above the trees in camp. Exciting, but a little hard to sleep. A trip to San Onofre beach for body surfing and sand castle building filled the morning, then back to camp for rifle shooting and archery. All in all, a fun-filled weekend.

Salty Rat

After a Saturday of canoe training, we left at dawn Sunday for our canoe excursion around Mission Bay. A cool, windy day was made even cooler for some with three swamped canoes. Car trouble plagued the trip home - thank you to Cindy J. for driving down to help bring boys home, and to Paula for helping Tim get their car home. The lesson learned, whether hiking, canoeing, or driving, use the Buddy System and stay together in case someone has trouble.

Duty to God

Congratulations to Cindy S. who recently was awarded the St. George medal by the Episcopal Church for her outstanding service to Scouts and her church.

Animals and Far-off Lands

Our October campout took us to Camp Balboa for two different events. First was a trip to the San Diego Zoo on Saturday morning where we spent the day hiking through the canyons and across the mesas observing wildlife of all sorts: Weasels, Iguanas, Sharks, and Frogs, among others!

Second was the international Jamboree on the Air where Scouts had the chance to talk to other Scouts using amateur radio. KF6AVG spoke with Scouts as far away as St. Petersburg Florida, and Monterey Mexico, and using Morse code to a student in Pocatello, Idaho. This annual event shows Scouts just how widespread the Scouting movement is. Last year the station at Camp Balboa spoke to Japan and Africa!

Thank you to drivers Wally, Ben, Hal and Rosie, and Joanne, as well as the usual Three Musketeers.

Backpack Training

Our backpack training program will begin in December. Our first backpack this year will be at Dos Cabezas in the southern Borrego desert. These easy eight miles will include a visit to several old railroad camps and an Indian cave with pictographs. This trip is mandatory if you wish to participate in future backpacks this year, and we hope you do! It is important you attend the December 5 troop meeting to learn what equipment you need, and what you should leave at home! All Scouts must bring their backpacks fully packed to the December 12 troop meeting for inspection. E-mail for more information.

Where do Trails Come From?

Find out on our camp at Mataguay November 15-17 when we help build the trail from Mataguay to the Pacific Crest Trail. Please let us know by November 8 if you are going so we can arrange for enough equipment. Last year we had a blast with "SimBush." This year we may get a chance to finish the trail we started last year. We will need a few adults to stay over to help with transportation to and from the trail site on Saturday.

Scoutmaster's Minute

Congratulations Louis. Those of you who did not attend Louis' Eagle Court of Honor missed out on a great ceremony. We missed you.

The River trip is coming up November 8 - 11. We'll have fun and hopefully stay dry. For those of you familiar with campouts on which Mrs. S. has been on know to bring rain gear